World Online Ranking of Best Business and Management Scientists – 2023 Report

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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On February 15, 2023, Research.com released the 2nd edition of the annual ranking for best scientists in the area of business and management. This annual list of leading scholars in the field seeks to provide visibility and recognition to the academic community for their research contributions especially now that recent global economic and socio-political events have redefined what it means to be resilient in business and management.

We hope that this report will inspire decision-makers, researchers, and entrepreneurs from all parts of the world to discover what the experts are studying given the current business and management climate. This ranking of best business and management scientists allows all of us to learn from the leading experts in the field, as well as discover which research institutions, universities, and countries, have managed to sustain a rich research tradition for the advancement of business and management practices.

For the 2023 edition of best business and management researchers, we examined more than 7,819 profiles compiled from various bibliometric data sources. Using several indicators and metrics, we reviewed and inspected the qualifications of each scientist to ensure that every entry merits its ranking.

For a scholar to be included in the ranking, the D-index (Discipline H-index) threshold was set at 30. Among the main criteria used aside from D-index was the proportion of contributions made within the discipline, which means that most of their publications should be in the field of business and management, including awards and achievements.

Latest discoveries in business and management research

In 2023, strategic business management has highlighted the importance of resilience, strategic agility, and having an entrepreneurial mindset. Corporations, big and small, have discovered that emergent knowledge strategies should be the foundation of every business model to be able to survive shifting economies. Among business and management studies performed in 2023, researchers have consistently identified operational resilience among businesses that thrived during the pandemic. Scientists concluded that operational resilience should always be present to remain competitive.

In addition, one common discovery among business and management research papers published during the pandemic is that adaptive strategies to survive the pandemic took precedence over shaping strategies to build post-COVID realities. This is consistent with the research of Bratianu and Bejinaru (2020) which underscored the importance of emergent knowledge strategies.

Moving forward, researchers in the field of business and management are expecting an increased focus on building resilience, accelerating end-to-end value chain digitization, and reimagining sustainable operations as the key initiatives that will characterize organizations in 2023.

How Can These Rankings Influence Business Education and Career Decisions?

The detailed ranking data offers strategic insights that extend beyond academic research, enabling business professionals to better gauge which institutions excel in fostering innovation and excellence. The findings can inform decisions on academic partnerships, research collaborations, and professional development initiatives by highlighting current trends and areas of emerging strength in business and management studies.

Furthermore, these rankings help prospective students and industry leaders identify optimal educational pathways that align with market demands and strategic growth objectives. Evaluating such benchmarks may also drive improvements in curriculum design and institutional strategies. For professionals aiming to advance their careers while balancing flexibility and cost-effectiveness, exploring online executive MBA programs offers an opportunity to gain advanced leadership skills through innovative learning platforms.

What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for emerging business scientists?

Emerging business scientists face the dual task of adapting to rapid industry changes while maintaining rigorous research standards. Key challenges include securing sustainable funding, navigating the digital transformation of research, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that address complex market realities. Institutions can support rising scholars by cultivating mentoring programs and innovative research environments that integrate technological advancements. Furthermore, the increasing availability of flexible doctoral pathways—such as the easiest doctorate—offers alternative routes to advanced study and career progression, serving as a catalyst for future breakthroughs in business and management research.

The key findings for the 2nd edition of the best business and management scientists ranking

• Business and management scholars from the United States dominate the 2023 ranking with 468 scientists representing 46.8% of all leading scientists, followed by the United Kingdom (162 scholars or 16.2%), Australia (52 scientists or 5.2%), and Canada (46 researchers or 4.6%). Other countries in the lead are the Netherlands (37 scientists or 3.7%), China (34 scholars or 3.4%), and Germany (23 scientists or 2.3%).
• Of the top 10 scientists, 8 are from the United States while the other two are from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
• While most of the scientists in the top 10 are from the United States, the leading researcher, Mike Wright, hails from Imperial College London in the UK.
• In the 2023 ranking, the University of Pennsylvania maintained its ranking as the top research institution with the most number of leading researchers in the field of business and management with 21 scholars.
• Ranking 5th among the top 10 institutions, Hong Kong Polytechnic University is the only non-American university with the highest number of leading business and management scholars.
• For the top 1% of scientists, the average h-index is 122–a jump from 114 in 2022–while the overall h-index average for the top scholars included in the ranking is 56.

The full ranking for the 2023 list of the best business and management scientists can be found here:

WORLD'S BEST BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT SCIENTISTS RANKING

Countries with the highest number of leading business and management scientists

Consistent with the 2022 report, the United States tops the list with 468 scholars, securing its place as the country with the highest number of leading scientists which represents 46.8% of the overall ranking. The country sees a 2% increase from 2022 in the share of leading scientists in the field worldwide.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has seven fewer scientists this year compared with 2022, but it keeps its second spot at 162 scientists.

The report also sees Australia losing five scientists in 2023–52 ranking scientists versus 57 in 2022, a 9% drop–but just enough to hold to its third spot as in the previous year.

The 2023 ranking also sees Canada maintain its 4th place at 46 scientists, while the Netherlands overtakes China at the 5th spot, with 37 and 34 scientists, respectively.

Rounding up the top 10 include Germany (7th) with 23 ranking scientists, Singapore (8th) with 14 scientists, France (9th) with 13 scientists, and Italy (10th) with 12 scientists. From the 10th spot last year, Singapore climbed to the 8th spot in 2023 while Italy made it to the top 10 this year, replacing Sweden.

Please note that the country associated with a scientist is based on their affiliated research institution, not on their actual nationality.

How Does Affordability Impact Business Research Development?

Affordable educational opportunities and cost-effective research pathways play a pivotal role in diversifying and strengthening the business research landscape. Lower financial barriers enable a wider pool of scholars to access robust academic resources and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations, fostering innovative solutions for contemporary market challenges. Moreover, flexible academic models, such as those offered by the best online schools for adults, empower researchers to balance career demands with advanced studies, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic research ecosystem.

How Do Accelerated Doctorate Programs Impact Research Innovation?

Accelerated doctoral programs foster a research environment characterized by agility and focused innovation. These streamlined pathways enable scholars to engage in complex research projects sooner, cultivating early leadership and practical expertise in dynamic fields. Accelerated programs are designed to compress rigorous academic training into a more efficient timeline, thereby driving swift transitions from study to impactful research careers. In this context, flexible formats—such as the shortest doctorate degree—serve as catalysts for developing interdisciplinary insights and meeting evolving academic and industry demands.

How Do Accelerated Associate Degrees Enhance Business Research Innovation?

Accelerated associate degree programs offer a streamlined educational pathway that cultivates essential business research skills in a condensed timeframe. These programs foster early exposure to research methodologies and practical applications, enabling emerging professionals to contribute innovative solutions to complex business challenges. By integrating interdisciplinary studies and real-world project work, accelerated formats nurture adaptability and creative problem-solving, critical for navigating today’s dynamic market environments. Institutions and industry leaders recognize that these agile academic models can act as catalysts for faster research translation into practice. Prospective students looking to quickly build foundational expertise and enhance their competitive edge may consider pursuing the fastest associates degree.

Institutions with the highest number of leading scientists

For the 2023 edition of the best scientists in business and management report, the University of Pennsylvania leads all institutions with a total of 21 scientists. From 18 scientists in 2022, three more expert researchers were added to this top-ranking institution in 2023.

Ranking second is Harvard University with 13 scholars while Arizona State University is at the third spot also with 13 scientists. Stanford University is in the fourth spot with 12 scientists, Hong Kong Polytechnic University ranks fifth, followed by the University of Southern California, University of Maryland-College Park, and MIT, with 11 scientists each.

Of the top 10 leading institutions, American universities constitute 90%, with Hong Kong Polytechnic University as the only research institution based in China.

Among the 20 leading institutions, four universities are from the United Kingdom including the University of Warwick, the University of Cambridge, the University of Reading, and Cardiff University, while the rest are all American universities.

Strengthening research in online universities

Research institutions have expanded their reach through online platforms. The advent of online business degree programs has made it easier for researchers from various institutions to collaborate and work together on specific research topics and other projects. As the interaction between and among scholars is central to research, online platforms facilitate research among colleagues. Online students are also equipped with research skills through training programs. The Stanford Graduate School of Business, for example, conducts online research workshops.

Specifically, in the field of business and management, scholars have to ensure that research ideas are quickly shared and discussed online among their peers and students as well. As ideas are explained, analyzed, and debated back and forth among universities and research institutions, new research topics are identified. In addition, this culture of research is witnessed by the students enrolled in online business management degree programs as well, which encourages them to also engage in research.

H-index ranking-leaders, averages, and distribution

For Europe, Professor Mike Wright of Imperial College London in the United Kingdom ranks first with an h-index of 145. He is also the top researcher in the 2023 world ranking.

For North America, Professor David B. Audretsch of Indiana University leads the list of best researchers and is also in the second spot of the world ranking with an h-index of 131.

For Oceania, Professor C. Michael Hall from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand tops the list which also ranks 11th in the world ranking with an h-index of 108.

Professor Michael Frese of Asia School of Business in Malaysia occupies the 12th spot in the world ranking and leads the list in Asia with an h-index of 108.

For South Africa, Professor Theodor J. Stewart of the University of Cape Town leads the list of best scholars with an h-index of 36. Professor Stewart is number 1183 in the world ranking.

Professor Marly Monteiro de Carvalho of Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil secures a rank of 910 in the world ranking as well as the top ranking in South America with an h-index of 41.

The average h-index for the top 1% of scientists is 114 against an average of 56 for all scientists included in the ranking.

The scholar with the lowest index value who made it to the ranking in 2023 has an h-index of 30.

For 2023, the average number of published articles for the top 1% of scholars in the ranking is 651 against an average of 194 for all the scientists.

The average number of citations for the top 1% of scientists is 113,115 against an average of 25,474 for all the scholars in the ranking.

You can learn more about the methodology used to create this report here.

What Are the Career Outcomes Influenced by Leading Business Research?

The integration of cutting-edge research with academic programs has a profound impact on career trajectories in business and management. Performance in these rankings not only reflects scholarly excellence but also signals to industry leaders the preparedness of graduates for demanding roles. Employers increasingly recognize the value of research-backed insights in developing strategies that drive innovations and competitive advantage. Prospective students can explore opportunities that align with robust academic performance and practical skills, including pursuing 4-year degrees that pay well, which provide a solid foundation for advanced roles in a dynamic market.

How Can Innovative Educational Pathways Advance Business Research?

The growth of flexible academic programs is fostering a new era in business research by providing accessible yet rigorous pathways for aspiring scholars. Innovative degree programs are strategically designed to merge theoretical insight with practical application, equipping candidates with the skills needed to adapt swiftly to evolving market demands. Enhanced curricular frameworks supported by modern pedagogical tools are driving early interdisciplinary collaborations and streamlined research initiatives. These forward-thinking models help lower traditional barriers to advanced studies, as exemplified by programs such as the easiest bachelor's degree, ultimately contributing to a more dynamic and responsive research ecosystem.

About Research.com

All research was coordinated by Imed Bouchrika, Ph.D., a computer scientist with a well-established record of collaboration on a number of international research projects with different partners from the academic community. His role was to make sure all data remained unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date.

Research.com is the number one research portal for science and educational rankings. Our mission is to make it easier for professors, research fellows, and students to progress with their research and find the top experts in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Research.com is also a leading educational platform that helps students find the best colleges, academic opportunities, and career paths.